Info about animal care!! I'm moving onto a ranch with my hubby as a caretaker...?

The stock includes: 8 emus, 3 ostriches, 18 goats, 2 zebras, 5 llamas, 7 miniature horses, 4 full size horses, 5 mini burros, a donkey, a pot-bellied pig, and a family of fallow ("canadian spotted") deer. I will have a feeding schedule already in place, along with monthly vet visits, and I know basic handling of the animals. I need advice as to how to keep them busy and their minds stimulated (eg, toys, games etc.), as their current care is VERY basic. I am planning to take riding and care lessons for horses when we move there, but I would love any hints and personal experience advice!

Thanks, FFfred, that's kinda the whole point ; )

AWIC (Animal Welfare Information Center) has some great guidelines for caring for large animals. Check out the link below; you will find sites covering veterinary care, normal behavior, enrichment, nutrition, breeding, and use. The animal welfare topics and enrichment are most likely to have the information you seek, plus references to othe rpublications with further information.

http://awic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/ind...

take good care of them

You are going to be busy...

Emus and ostriches can be very affectionate, but they don't need much in the way of playtime. Their brains are tiny.

You need to be careful of zebras -- they are not really domesticated and they can bite.

Be very careful, also know that as a caretaker of these animals you will need some good leather gloves and know how to scoop poop and lug hay bales and how much to feed, drag hoses to water, load in trailers for vet checks without getting kicked or trampled. You have bitten off a bunch for a novice. Many of the animals you mentioned kick you for fun or bite hard or spit on you--as for toys, I have seen horses play with a big ball -- old one with animal smarts and care in the back ground.

Interestingly enough, most animals are capable of 'entertaining' themselves! What might be boring to us (standing or laying around, grazing a little bit) is completely natural to them.
Also I think that monthly vet visits are not really necessary. If you have ever had children you probably didn't take them to the Dr. each month to see if they were okay. If there is a problem, call the vet. Make sure they have their annual vaccinations, and for the 4 legged ones, wormer, and they should be fine.